Applying for a Study Place Abroad
You would like to go abroad on an exchange program of the University of Mannheim?
To do so, you must first go through an internal application and selection process. The International Office will inform you about all the necessary steps: In order not to miss any information, you should first attend the obligatory information sessions about studying abroad. Here you will learn everything you need to know about the programs, application procedures, and funding opportunities.
As the application details and deadlines differ depending on your host country, school or department and program of study, we urge you to carefully read the following information and pay attention to the information relevant to you.
Please note: In addition to the university's internal application process, there are a numerous funding organizations (for example the DAAD or the Fulbright Commission), all having individual application deadlines. These deadlines may differ from the university’s dates and can be found on the respective organization’s websites. An overview of the most important funding organizations can be found on the page on financing your stay abroad.
Step by step towards your stay abroad
Please proceed as follows:
Check application periods and deadlines
The application deadlines for the university exchange programs differ depending on your program of study and host country. Deadlines are always scheduled a number of months before the beginning of the actual stay abroad. In some cases, you even have to apply more than a year in advance.
We recommend visiting the information sessions about studying abroad to learn about the different exchange programs right at the beginning of your program of study, in order to ensure that you do not miss any deadlines.
Not all semesters are a suited for going abroad. In some programs, the semesters during which a stay abroad is possible are even predetermined.
The different application deadlines and potential periods for a stay abroad according to the regular structure of each degree program are listed below:
- Overview for the Business School (PDF)
- Overview for the Department of Law (PDF)
- Overview for the School of Social Sciences (PDF)
- Overview for the Department of Economics (PDF)
- Overview for the School of Business Informatics and Mathematics (PDF)
- Overview for the Business School of Humanities (PDF)
Please also refer to the general overview of application deadlines (PDF).
The application deadlines for individual programs are also listed in the database of partner universities.
Proofs of Language Proficiency
Gather information on special requirements such as proofs of language proficiency.
Read the application instructions
Please read the respective application instructions to find out which documents are required for your program of study and which application deadlines must be met.
Start the online application
Please upload your application documents online to the Mobility-Online application portal only.
Before starting your application, carefully read the relevant application instructions to avoid a rejection of your application due to formal reasons. Please also read the data protection information regarding the Mobility-Online software.
If you have already applied before and now wish to create a new application, you must first complete and submit the application form again. If you have already started your current application, you can continue processing it on Mobility-Online.
Once you have submitted your online application form for a new application, you will receive an e-mail containing a link for registering at Mobility-Online. After registering, you can access the Mobility-Online portal for all further stages of the application process.
Wait for the results of the selection process and the allocation of places
Formal check
In a first step, all applications are checked for formal errors. Incomplete applications or applications that were not submitted on time are excluded from the further application process. You will receive notice of the result of the formal check via e-mail within one to two weeks.Selection process and selection criteria
Those applications that fulfill all formal criteria are then forwarded to the respective department for the further selection process. A special selection committee decides which applicants will be admitted to the respective exchange program. In the case of interdisciplinary programs, the International Office also forms part of the committee. As interdisciplinary programs are exchange programs open to students from different departments, the decision on who will be awarded a study place abroad has to be made jointly by the schools and/or departments concerned. Generally, decisions are only made based on the application documents submitted. Yet, depending on the number of qualified applicants, you might be invited to a personal interview for some programs. This applies especially to exchange programs with partner universities overseas.
Study places are awarded depending on the number of places available for the respective period.
The following selection criteria are generally used to evaluate an application:
- academic performance and course of study
- academic and personal motivation for studying abroad
- language proficiency
- documented social commitment, internships, special activities, etc.
- formal correctness of the application
- personal impression (if an interview was conducted)
Criteria my differ depending on the respective department and exchange program. For details, please refer to your department or, in the case of an interdisciplinary exchange program, to the International Office.
First round of allocation
For every application, you can indicate one or more preferred partner universities, so called “priorities”. Every selection committee will try to award students a study place at the partner university listed as their first priority. If this is not possible, the selection committee will assess your application with regard to your other priorities.
What are the next steps?
What happens if I do not receive a study place at one of my preferred universities?
Following the first round of allocation, it is ascertained whether there are still any empty places at some of the partner universities. If this is the case, applicants who have not received a place so far, will be informed via e-mail. If interested, they can quickly apply for these spots via e-mail and a second round of allocation will be initiated.
If your application for a study place abroad has not been successful, you are welcome to inquire about the reasons at your department or (in case of an interdisciplinary exchange program) at the International Office. Provided that it is compatible with your program structure, you can apply again at a later date.
There are, however, other ways to integrate a stay abroad into your studies:
- Internships abroad are a great alternative to studying abroad. You have the opportunity to gain practical experience while living in an intercultural environment. This is why prospective employers appreciate an internship abroad in your CV.
- Or you arrange for a study place abroad by yourself as a free mover; i.e., independently from the university’s exchange programs. The courses completed as part of a free mover stay abroad can be recognized for your degree program in Mannheim in the same way as a stay abroad through the university exchange programs.
What are the next steps after I have been awarded a study place abroad?
The International Office will inform you about the result of the application process via e-mail. If you have been awarded a study place, you have to officially accept the place within four days via Mobility-Online. Afterwards, cancellation is only possible in exceptional cases and with valid reasons.
Students who have been awarded a study place by way of the internal application process will be registered at their future host institution by the University of Mannheim in due time. Afterwards, the nominated students have to again submit a number of documents for admission to the partner university. The final decision on their admission will be made by the host institution. However, provided that you submit all required documents in due time, there should not be any problems at all. We will inform you about the necessary steps.
To best plan your semester abroad and ensure that your coursework and examinations taken abroad will be recognized at your home institution, you should discuss thecourse selection with your department as soon as possible.
Funding
Even after having received your confirmation of placement there are some scholarship programs you can still apply for. For stays within Europe, students usually receive the Erasmus grant. The International Office will provide information on the amount of funding and the application to all eligible students in due time.
We are happy to advise you!
We offer personal advice for any of your preferred destinations.
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